Electric-circuit controlling and timing device



March 4, 1930. H. c. WANNER ET AL 1,749,404

ELECTRIC CIRCUIT CONTROLLING AND TIMING DEVICE Fi led Oct. 26. 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 March 4, 1930. H. c. WANNER ET AL 1,749,404

ELECTRIC CIRCUIT CONTROLLING AND TIMING DEVICE Filed Oct. 26. 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 4, 1930.

H. c. WAN'NER ET AL ELECTRIC CIRCUIT CONTROLLING AND TIMING DEVICE 4 sheets-sheet 5 Filed Oct. 26. 1927 March 4, 1930. H. c. WANNER ET AL 1,749,404

ELECTRIC CIRCUIT CONTROLLING AND TIMING DEVICE Filed Oct. 26. 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 6'6 11 9 L I/A/ 6 FIT/A9 7 4 J I g YzS'LAOl V 32 m 59 J0 f b 96 L55 2 0 -25? l'feyifoya 26 55W M Patented Mar. 4, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT, OFFICE HARRY C. WANNER AND LEROY H. MOSS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS; SAID MOSSASSIGNOR a T0 SAID WANNER ELECTRIC-CIRCUIT CONTROLLING AND TIMING'IDEVICE Application flied October 26,1927. Serial No. 228,726.

Our invention relates generally to an elec tric circuit controlling device and, more particularly, to magnetically operated timing means adapted to regulate the operation of an electric signal or a series of such signals in any desired sequence and for any variable period of time.

One of the objects of our invention is to provide means of the above character which is simple in construction, economic in operation by minimizing current consumption, and cheap to manufacture.

Another object is to provide for the use of only a few moving parts which are arranged for slow motion operation whereby wear is reduced to a minimum, the life of the apparatus is lengthened, and maintenance cost is reduced to a minimum.

A further object is to provide for positive operation of the various moving parts, some of such parts being adapted to automatically adjust themselvesas wear may take place whereby lost motion on power strokes is practically eliminated, and successive cycles over long periods of time arecarried out in the same and uniform manner without attention.

Additional objects are to provide means which may be used with either A. C. or D. C. current without change in construction or arrangement of parts; and to. provide a plurality of adjustments for the various operating parts whereby they may all be very accurately moved to and held in their proper positions to properly synchronize and tune the same.

Other and further objects and advantages will become apparent as this description progresses and by reference to the drawings wherein,

Figure 1 is a plan view of a structure embodying our invention;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the structure shown in Fig. 1;

F ig; 3 is an end elevation showing the mercury switch in contact-making pos1tion;

Fig. 4 is a detail View of the mercury switch and its support, showing such switch in contact-breaking position;

Fig. 5 is a detail view, partially in section,

of the mercury switch actuating arm and the means for limiting its movement.

Fig. 6 is a detail view, partially in section, of a drive lever and its adjustablesupport.

Figs. 7 to 10, inclusive, are separated views, partially in section, of the signal contact actuating arms and the cams for controlling their movement, the same being shown in the relative positions they may assume at a certain point during each cycle of operation of this particular form of our invention.

Fig. 11 is a wiring diagram illustrating diagrammatically the relative positions of and the connections between the various op.-

erating parts of the device as arranged for control of a plurality of signal lights such as may be employed in automatically regujiating and directing highway, or other traf- Fig. 12 is a detail view of a modified form of contact-actuating cam which may be utilized in a modified arrangement of thesystem shown in Fig. 11.

For the purpose of facilitating explanation of our invention, we have shown and will describe our invention as employed for controlling the operation of a plurality of traiiic signal lights (green, yellow and red) which are caused to go on and OK independently at diil'erent and regulated intervals. With particular reference to the drawings, we employ a unitary structure mounted upon a base 15 which is supported by adjustable legs 16 for leveling the same, these legs being secured in their adjusted position by lock nuts 16.

In controlling the signal lights, we employ plurality of contact arms 17, 18, 19 and 20, which carry, respectively, contacts 17, 18, 19 and 2O adapted to engage stationary contacts 17 18 19 'and 2O which are supported by a bar 35 (non-current conductor) carried by vertical parts 37 secured to the base 15. These stationary contacts are connected to the signal lights 21, 22 and 23 in a manner which will be described more fully hereinafter. These contact arms are adapted to be moved into contact making position by cams 24, 25, 26 and 27 as the cam surfaces 24*, 25, 26* and 27 engage and move the curved-spring extensions 28, 29, 30 and 31,

respectively, which act to yieldably hold the contact arms in contact making position and relieve strain on the working arts which might otherwise result in un ue wear or breakage. As the cam surfaces 24, 25', 26" and 27' move out of engagement with their respective contact arms, such arms moveby gravit to their contact breaking ositlon and, uring such movement, the re ease of the spring extensions (which are under compression 1n contact making osition of such arms) tends to produce a quick-break action which, for obvious reasons, increases the life of the contacts and aids in efliciency of operation as a whole. The contact arms 17, 18, 19 and 20 are rotatably fixed at their inner ends by yoke-like hubs to a shaft 32 formed of a non-conducting material,preferably bakelite, supportedby vertical brackets 33 (Figs. 2 and 3) mounted upon the base 15. These arms are preferably, but not necessarily, positioned upon the shaft 32 b a coil spring 34 which surrounds the sha t and engages the outermost contact arm 17.

The cams 24 25, 26 and 27 are adjustably fixed upon a shaft 38 by set screws 39, this shaft bein journaled in bearings 4Q and 41 supported y the base 15 and it pro]ects beyond the bearing to receive a friction drive wheel 42, the pur ose of which will become obvious later. T ese cams are adjustable upon the shaft relative to each other so that the contact arms 17, 18, 19 and 20 will be actuated to make their contacts at any desired instant during each cycle of operation.

The shaft 38 rotates the cams to actuate the contact arms to control the lights 21, 22,

23 and rotation of this shaft is accomplished by a solenoid 43 carried at one side of the base by an inverted U-shaped bracket 45 with its flan (1 ends secured to the base 15, the solenoi having the usual reciprocable core stem 44. This solenoid is energized and deenergized by means of an oscillatablemercury switch 47 having, at one end, contacts 47 and 47" adapted to be connected by spilling the mercur 47 forward to engage such contacts and spi ling it in the opposite direction to break the same. The mercury switch 47 is carriedby a clip 48 adjustably supported upon an arm 49 which has a yoke 50 at its outer end hinged to a supporting shaft 51. This supporting shaft is adjustably carried by a vertical post 52 secured to and adjustable upon the base 15 by lock nuts 53 and 54. The clip 48 and shaft 51 are adjustably fixed upon their respective supports by the set screws 55 and 56. The hinged arm 49 provides for tilting the mercury switch to spill its mercury back and forth and the above described adjustments provide for independently setting the mercury switch at the proper pitch so that it will tilt to the same extent at all times and will tilt at a predetermined rate of speed and may, in effect, be accurately set to operate in its proper tune; otherwise, the operation of the switch might vary during each cycle and/or during successive cycles.

The mercury switch and solenoid are so interlocked and co-related that one, in effect, oflifirates the other when the power is on. T 's is accomplished as follows: The mercury switch contact 47 is connected to the power line 57 (Figs. 1, 2, and 11) through wire 58, post 59, wire 60, post 61, wire 62, solenoid 43, wire 63, post 64, and wire while the other contact 47' is connected to the return wire 66 through wire 67, post 68 and wire 69 to complete the circuit when these contacts are connected. It will be seen that when these contacts 47 and 47 b are made, the solenoid is energized and its stem 44 will be moved upward in a manner well understood. This motion is transmitted to the mercury switch to break its contacts and de-energize the solenoid by providing the solenoid stem with a diametricallyprojecting pin.70 adapted to be freely engaged by the slotted yoke 71 of a switch actuatin lever 72 which has its end 0 posite the yo e rotatably mount-- ed as at 2" upon a vertical post 73 carried by the base 15 (Fig. 2). This lever 72 is freely engagedat a point between its ends by the bifurcate end portion 74 of the switch support arm 49. In this manner, as the solenoi 43 is energized and its stem moves upward, the lever 72 is swung upwardly, in turn, swinging the switch support arm 49 upwardly and tilting the mercury switch to the position of Fig. 4 to s ill the mercury away from its contacts and reak the circuit to de-energize the solenoid. As the solenoid is de-energized. its stem 44 falls to its lowermost position tilting the mercury switch to its contact making position of Fig. 3 to again energize the solenoid. This cycle is repeated over and over again in a smooth and uniformly timed manner without interruption when the power is on. When the power is off, the switch 47 is obviously moved to its contact making position and set ready for operation when t e power is turned on.

It is desirable that the solenoid stem reciprocate within redetermined and adjustable limits to aid in smoothness of operation and to further aid in properly tuning the mercury switch. To this end we employ (Figs. 2 and 5) an inverted L-shaped stop 75 which freely passes through an openin v inthe base 15 and is adjustably secure thereto by the lock nuts 76; and a straight stop 77 freely passing through the base and ad ustably secured thereto by lock nuts 78. These stops each have yicldable head or impact portlons 79, formed preferably of soft rubber, which lie in the path of movement of the lever 72 and which such lever engages to limit the extent of its movement.

The reciprocation of the solenoid stem 44 is also utilized to drive the cam shaft 38 to opcrate the switch contact arms 17 18, 19 and 20. This is accomplished by the use of a sec ondary drive lever 80 (Figs. 1 and 6) pivoted at one end at 80 to a vertical post 81 which is carried by an inverted U-shaped bracket 82 mounted upon the base 15. This post 81 is slidably adjustable upon its bracket and is secured in adjusted position by screw 83. This drive lever 80 extends along the switch actuating lever 72 and is interlocked therewith by an adjustable slide 84 which has a lateral bifurcated extension 85 freely embracing such drive lever-(Figs. 2 and The slide 84 is fixed in adjusted position by screw 86. The drive lever also carries a slide 87 which is adjustably fixed thereon by screw 87. This slide has a fixed laterally projecting shaft 88 which carries a freelyrotatable and fan-shaped friction drive tumbler 89. The curved edge of this tumbler is smooth and of substantial thickness and is adapted to engage the edge ofthe drive wheel 42 which is also smooth and which is fixed upon the projecting end of the cam shaft 38.

In the operation of the above described structure, the reciprocating movement of the solenoid stem 44 is positively transmitted to the drive lever 80. As this drive lever is moved to its lowermost position, the drive tumbler likewise falls and assumes its lowermost position in engagement with the drive wheel edge. The upward movement of stem 44 and lever. 80, due to the wedging action of the tumbler 89 against the drive wheel, moves the drive wheel upwardly and rotates it and the cam shaft 38 in a clockwise direction. The wedging action of the tumbler 89 is produced by bringing its curved surface into such relation to the drive wheel edge that it cannot rotate downwardly past such edge and will always -be stopped in an abovecenter position so that it will be effective to apply power vertically to the wheel edge. Also, the curved edge coupled with the rotatable mounting enables the tumbler to accurately adjust itself to the drive wheel on each stroke (and as wear may take place) and re main in frictional engagement with the same and apply upward pressure uniformly there-= to throughout the upward stroke with a minimum of wearing action. This tumbler serves to actuate the wheel 42 without lost motion on the power stroke which adds to smoothncss, uniformity and positiveness in operation. Smoothness and positiveness in the movement of the drive wheel are further aided by the use of a brake 42* formed of suitable friction material. This brake is carried at one end of a yieldable supporting arm 42 (Figs. 2 and 3) which is attached atthe other end to the base and arranged to carry the brake in engagement with the edge of the wheel at all times.

The range of reciprocation of the drive lever 80 determines the extent of each step in the movement of the wheel 42 and cams 24 to 27, inclusive. This range is adjustable to increase or decrease the same by moving the slide 84 backwardly or forwardly, with respect to the solenoid stem 44, or by moving the post 81 and lever 80 forwardly or backwardly (with compensating adjustments of the tumbler slide 87 to maintain its desired actuating relation to the drive wheel). By increasing its range, the wheel is moved a greater distance during each up stroke of the lever 80, and the drive wheel 42 and cams make a complete revolution in lesstime, thereby changing the duration of the total signal period; and vice versa when this range is decreased.

From the foregoing it will be clear that when the power is on, the drive wheel 42 and cams are continuously revolved and the light contacts alternately made and broken in the desired adjusted sequence and for the desired and variable periods of time.

In the arrangement shown in the drawings, the cam 24 (Fig. 10) controls the green light circuit, cams 25 and 26, (Figs. 8 and f) the yellow light circuit, and cam 27 (Fig. 7) the red'light circuit. These cams, as shown, are so carried that when the green light circuit is made the red light circuit is broken; the yellow light circuits as here shown are made only near the end of a green or red light period and these circuits are broken when the red or green light circuit is broken, and as the green light goes off the red light goes on (both not on at the same time) and vice versa. The yellow light circuit is broken by the breaking of the red or green light circuit because the former circuit is made by and may be completed only upon completion of the red or green light circuit. More particularly, the green light movable contact 17 a is connected to the line wire 57 through its arm 17 by wire 91 (Fig. 11), and the stationary contact 17 b is connected to the return wire 66 by wires 92 and 93, light 21 and wire 94; and the stationary contact 17 for the green light is connected by clip 95, wire 96 and clip 97 to the yellow light contact arm 18 so that when the contacts 17 and 17 are made and the cam 25 operates to close contacts 18 and 18*, as explained above, the yellow light 22 will go on and remain on until the green light circuit is broken or until it is broken by the action of cam 25. The foregoing is also true as to the red light circuit, the stationary contact 2O being connected to the yellow light contact arm 19 by wire 98. In the latter instance the red light circuit is completed (Fig. 11) through line wire 57, wire 91, arm 20, contacts 20* and 20, wire 99 and 100, red light 28 and wires 94 and 66. The wires 96 and 98 which connect the green and yellow and red and yellow circuits are flexibly coiled or folded so as to not interfere with ready movement of the contact arms 18 and 19 to which they are attached.

It is believed that the operation of the lights is obvious from the fore oing. It may be briefly stated as follows: ssuming that the green light is on, upon the continued revolving ot' the cam shaft, the contact arm 18 will be picked up and its contact made and the yellow light goes on (Figs. 9 and 10 and remains on until the green light goes o As the green light goes off the red light comes on with the yellow light off since the contact finger 19 has not yet been picked up. U on continued operation, the arm 19 is picke up and the yellow light oes on and remains on until the red light circuit is broken. This cycle is repeated continuously as long as the power 15 on. The light periods may be ad-,

usted in any desire sequence and the total cycle period may be varied with the ratio between the green and red periods in each cycle constant but the duration of the yellow periods varied as desired.

Furthermore, while we have described the yellow light circuits as being broken upon breaking of the red or green light circuit, as the case may be, it is to be understood that if desired the yellow light circuit may be broken before such red and green light circuits by adjusting the cams 25 and 26 to release the respective contact arms in advance of opening the red'and green light circuits.

One of the contact arms, for example the arm 18, may be utilized for operating a hell or whistle or other signal, in which event the other arm 19 would be utilized to close the yellow light circuit in conjunction with both the red and green lights. In that event, the stationary contact 18 would be connected to a bell, or other electrically operated signal, which is connected to the electric source by wire 66 in the manner shown in Fig. 11; and the contact arm 19 would be directly connect-ed to the yellow light as shown. There would also be an interlocking connection between the green light circuit and the contact arm 19 to interlock the green and yellow circuits. as above explained. The cam corresponding to cam 26 for controlling the arm 19, in such case, would be a combination of both cams 25 and 26 with both the corresponding cam surfaces 25 and 26 for operating the arm 19 twice during each cycle for operating the yellow light durin both the green and red light periods. Suc a cam is illustrated in Fig. 12.

Or one of the cams 25 or 26 may be omitted and one double cam, such as just described, (Fig. 12) employed for controlling the yellow light circuits. Also, the used additional signal means may be accomplished by additional cams on shaft 38 operating ad itional circuits, the yellow, green and red light circuits remaining as shown in Fig. 11.

From the foregoing it will be seen that our invention requires the use of only a few, and slow moving, parts which act positively and uniformly throughout successive cycles, thereby reducing wear and re uiring a minimum of attention and provi ing maximum efficiency. It is understood that we do not desire to be limited to the operation of signal lights or any particular number of lights, or other signals, since it is obvious that our in vention may be readily employed in conjunction with the operation of any electric signal means, such as bells, whistles, beacon lights, and the like regardless of number or distance. Furthermore, while we have shown and described only one embodiment of our invention, it is obvious that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of our invention as defined by the claims which follow.

We claim:

1. In a device of the character described, the combination of a solenoid having a reciprocable core, a mercury switch mounted on a tiltable support and connected to a source of electric energy through said solenoid, a lever having one end rotatably supported and the other end engagin said solenoid core for movement therewit and being also connected to said switch support to tilt said switch to energize and deenergize said solenoid and reciprocate said core, a rotatable contact actuating member, a driven wheel carried by said member, and a drive element connected to said lever and engaging said wheel for imparting motion to said contact actuating member.

2. In a device of the character described, the combination of a solenoid having a reciprocable core, a mercury switch adjustably mounted on a tiltable support and connected to a source of electric energy through said solenoid, a lever having one end rotatably supported and the other end engaging said solenoid core for movement therewith and being also connected to said switch support to ti t said switch to energize and deenergize said solenoid and reciprocate said core, a rotatable contact-actuating shaft, a driven wheel mounted on said shaft, and a drive element adjustably connected to said lever and engaging said wheel for imparting motion to said shaft.

3. In a device of the character described, the combination of a solenoid having a movable core, a contact member connected to an electric source through said solenoid, means between said core and member for operating the latter to energize and deenergize said solenoid and move said core back and forth, another and rotatable contact member, a drive wheel associated with said latter member, and connections between said operating means and said drive wheel for imparting motion to said wheel to rotate said latter-mentioned member.

4. In a device of the character described, the combination of a solenoid having a movable core, a mercury switch connected to an electric source through said solenoid and adjustably carried on a swinging support, a lever having one end swingingly carried and its other end reciprocatably attached to said core. said switch support being interlocked with said lever for actuating said switch, a rotatable shaft, a drive wheel mounted on said shaft, and connections including friction drive means cooperating with said drive wheel between said lever and said drive wheel for imparting motion to said shaft.

5. In a device of the character described, the combination of a solenoid havinga reciprocable core, a switch connectedto a source of electric energy through said solenoid, connections between said solenoid core and said switch for opening and closing the latter to energize said solenoid and reciprocate said core, a shaft, a driven element on said shaft, and connections between said element and said first-named connections, including a friction drive member engaging said element, for imparting rotary motion to said shaft to operate said actuator.

6. In a device of thecharacter described, the combination of a solenoid having a re ciprocable core, a circuit control member mounted on a swingable support, an actuating lever swingingly supported. at one end and I having its other end connected for reciprocation with said core, said circuit control member being connected to a source of electric energy through said solenoid and said switch support being operatively connected to said lever for opening and closing said switch as andsfor the purpose of energizing and deenergizing said solenoid and reciprocating said core, a shaft adapted to actuate a contact member, a drive wheel on said shaft, a drive lever swingingly supported at one end and having its other end connected to said actuating lever for movement therewith, and a friction drive element between said drive lever and drive wheel and reeiprocable by said drive lever for imparting motion to said wheel as said core is moved.

7. In a device of the character described, the combination of a solenoid having a reciprocable core, a solenoid circuit control member adjustably mounted on a swingable sup port, an actuating lever swingingly supported at one end and having its other end connected for reciprocation with said core, said support being adjustably mounted for varied swinging movements and operatively connected to said lever for swinging said support as and for the purpose of energizing and deenergizing said solenoid and reciprocating said core, a rotatable element, a drive wheel on said element, a drive lever swingingly supported at one end and havin its other end adjustably connected to sai actuating lever for movement therewith, and an adjustable friction drive element between said drive lever and drive wheel for imparting motion to the latter and said element as said core is moved.

8. in a device of the character described, the combination of a solenoid having a reciprocable core, a solenoid switch mounted on a swingable support, a switch actuating lever swingingly supported at one end and having the other end connected for reciprocation with said core, said switch support being operatively connected to said lever for opening and closing said switch as and for the purpose of energizing and deenergizing said solenoid and reciprocating said core, a rotatable element, a drive wheel on said element, a drive lever swingingly supported at one end ane having its other end connected to said actuating lever for movement therewith, a slide on said drive lever having a tanshaped drive tumbler rotatably mounted thereon with its curved edge adapted to frictionally engage the periphery of said wheel to rotate the latter as said core and drive lever are reciprocated.

9. in a device of the character described, the combination of a solenoid having a reciprocable core, a switch mounted on a swingain support and connected to a source of electric energy through said solenoid, a switch actuating lever hingedly supported at one end and having its other end connected to said core for movement therewitlr; and being also connected intermediate its ends to said switch support to open and close said switch as said core reciprocates, adjustable stops in the path of movement of said actuating lever to determine the extent of its movement and movement of said switch, a rotatable shaft, and means for rotating said shaft including a drive lever connected to said switch actuating lever and a friction drive element between said drive lever and shaft.

10. In a device of the character described, the combination oi a solenoid having a reciprocable core, a switch adjustably mounted on a swinging support and connected to a source of electric energy through said solenoid, a switch actuating lever hingedly supported at one end and having its other end connected to said core for movement therewith and being also connected intermediate its ends to said switch support to open and close said switch as said core reciprocates, adjustable stops having yieldable impact portions in the path of movement of and engaged by said actuating lever to determine-the extent of its movement and movement of said switch, a rotatable shaft, and means for rotating said shaft including a drive lever adjustably connected to said switch actuating lever and a friction drive element between-said drive lever and shaft.

a movable contact arm cooperating with a wheel on said shaft havingl stationary contact, a bowed spring yieldable extension on said contact arm, a rotatable shaft carrying a cam adapted to engage said extension to move and hold same under compression in yieldable engagement with said stationar contact to close t e circuit, a drive member or actuating said shaft, and means for moving said drive member.

13. In a device of the character described, an electric circuit control means including a movable contact arm cooperating with a stationary contact, a yieldable extension on said contact arm, a rotatable shaft carrying a cam adapted to engage said extension, a drive a smooth edge surface, a vertically movab e drive lever, a drive element carried by said lever and frictionally engaging the smooth edge of said wheel, and means for movin said lever and wheel to open and close the circuit.

14. In a device of the character described, an electric circuit control means comprising a movable contact arm cooperating with a stationary contact, a yieldable extension on said arm, a rotatable shaft carrying an element adapted to engage said. extension, a drive wheel on said shaft having a smooth edge surface, a vertically movable drive lever, a rive element carried by said lever and frictionally engaging the smooth edge of said wheel on the up-stroke of said lever, a friction brake element in constant en agement with the smooth edge of said w eel, and means for moving said lever.

15. In a device of the character described, the combination with an electric circuit control means including a rotatable shaft, of means for rotating said shaft to effect intermittent operation of the same including a pair of levers connected together, friction drive connections between one of said levers and said shaft, and connections between the other of said levers and a drive means.

16. In a device of the character described, the combination with an electric circuit control means including a rotatable shaft intermittently operable, of means for rotating said shaft to effect said intermittent operation including a plalir of levers adjustably connected together, 'ction drive connections between one of said levers and said shaft comprising a drive wheel on said shaft having a smooth edge surface and a fan-shaped friction element on said one lever having its curved edge smooth and adapted to frictionally engage the smooth edge of said wheel in one direction of movement and to freely disengage the same in the other direction, and connections between the other of said levers and a drive means, and a brake cooperating with the smooth edge of said wheel.

17. In a device of the character described, the combination with an electric circuit control means including a rotatable shaft, of means for operating said shaft including a driven member mounted on the shaft, a pair of connected levers adapted to swing in parallel paths a drive element on one of said levers adapted to engage said driven member as such lever is moved up and down, the other of said levers bein connected to driving means, whereby sai shaft is rotated intermittently, and adjustable devices in the path of movement of said latter lever for variably limiting its extent of upward and downward movement.

18. In a device of the character described, the combination with an electric circuit control means including, a rotatable shaft, of means for operating said shaft including a driven member mounted on the shaft, a pair of levers, an adjustable slide on one of said levers carrying a driving element en ageable with said driven member, an adjusta l'e slide on the other of said levers embracing said first lever, the latter of said levers being connected to a drive means.

In witness whereof, we have subscribed our names.

HARRY C. WANNER. LEROY H. MOSS. 

